Phase 1A includes installation of fish screens and fish ladders at the North Battle Creek Feeder and Eagle Canyon diversion dams on North Fork Battle Creek; removal of Wildcat diversion dam and appurtenant conveyance system on North Fork Battle Creek; and construction of a fish barrier weir on Baldwin Creek downstream of Asbury Pumped Diversion Dam.

Phase 1B includes installation of an Inskip Powerhouse tailrace connector and bypass on South Fork Battle Creek.

Phase 2 includes installation of a fish screen and fish ladder on Inskip diversion dam; installation of a South Powerhouse tailrace connector; and removal of Lower Ripley Creek Feeder, Soap Creek Feeder, Coleman and South diversion dams and appurtenant conveyance systems, on South Fork Battle Creek.

February 2015 Status:

Phase 1A – Wildcat diversion dam and conveyance system (pipeline and canal) were removed in 2010; resulting in the restoration of about 15 miles of stream habitat for Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead trout. In October 2011, work occurred along the Wildcat Canal access road to correct drainage problems and to install permanent erosion control measures.

The majority of fish screen and ladder construction has been completed at the Eagle Canyon and North Battle Creek Feeder (NBCF) Diversion Dams. Hydraulic evaluations of the new fish facilities, as well as physical modeling of the NBCF fish ladder and fish screen determined that modifications are necessary to improve fish screen and fish ladder passage effectiveness, while meeting PG&E canal diversion requirements. Mechanical and electrical improvements are also needed to address facility safety and operational needs. Design work is underway, and modifications are planned for implementation in 2016 and 2017.

Safety measures (including cut-slope stabilization) at the new access road to NBCF diversion dam and fish facilities were completed in August 2014. A contract to install automatic modulation control for the head gate actuators at NBCF and Eagle Canyon Diversion Dams was awarded in September and is planned to be completed by Spring 2015.

Construction of fish barrier weir, located downstream of Asbury Diversion Dam on Baldwin Creek, was completed in 2013. The barrier weir, which allows for a constant release of 5 cubic feet per second in Baldwin Creek is restoring about one mile of suitable habitat for salmon and steelhead, while protecting the upstream Darrah Springs State Trout Hatchery from infectious diseases carried by the anadromous fish.

Upon completion of Phase 1A in its entirety, 25 miles of stream habitat will be restored.

Phase 1B – To prevent the mixing of North Fork Battle Creek waters with South Fork Battle Creek waters a 5,600-foot of penstock bypass pipeline and chute system to Coleman Canal and a 650-foot of tailrace connector at Inskip Powerhouse were constructed in 2012. Follow-up work occurred in 2013 and 2014 to repair access road and sediment erosion caused by storm events. Additional effort will occur in summer 2015 to implement permanent safety and facility access improvements.

Phase 2 –Data collection, environmental compliance efforts and design work are underway. Construction on South Fork Battle Creek, and its tributaries, is planned to occur under two construction contracts. One construction contract would involve installation of a fish screen and ladder at Inskip diversion dam; installation of a tailrace tunnel connector from South Powerhouse to Inskip Canal; and removal of Lower Ripley Creek Feeder and Coleman diversion dams. Another construction contract would involve the removal of Soap Creek Feeder and South diversion dams and appurtenant conveyance systems, including the removal of South Canal. Phase 2 contract procurements are planned for 2017, and construction is anticipated to occur in 2017 through 2020.

Upon completion of Phase 2, approximately 23 miles of stream habitat will be restored.

Adaptive Management

Processes to ensure fisheries objectives and goals are met will occur beyond 2020.

Coleman National Fish Hatchery (CNFH) Adaptive Management – CNFH is located downstream of the Restoration Project area on the main stem of Battle Creek. CNFH is funded by Reclamation, owned and operated by USFWS, and guided by USFWS policy and other state and federal laws. The CNFH AMP is in development, and its’ focus is on meeting CNFH production goals to partially mitigate for Shasta Dam while ensuring compatibility of the hatchery with the Battle Creek Restoration Project. Anticipate completion of the CNFH AMP in 2016.

Integrated Framework for Adaptive Management in Battle Creek – The Battle Creek Restoration Project 1999 MOU partners; Reclamation, USFWS, NMFS, CDFW, and PG&E, are committed to coordinate CNFH AMP and Battle Creek Restoration Project AMP efforts to form a single integrated framework for adaptive management in Battle Creek. An Integrated Monitoring Plan and a Team Charter are currently in development, and will define integrated Battle Creek Restoration Project and CNFH adaptive management processes for monitoring, evaluation, and decision making.